How do you handle all these cables?

[babu]

As most people in here I got a few systems and with every system it's allways a couple of controllers, powerbrick and cables for the TV. Or in the case of portable - recharger and link cables..
So how do you all store this cable mess? I'm getting sick of my two boxes full of cables after having to digg trough it to find a cable for my NES :noooo:

[Mr. Casual]

Its kind of a guessing game with me, but I'm going to start putting labels on them.

I've got 7 consoles ready to go, all I need to do is find the right cords. I have all of them in between my VCR and subwoofer sticking out a little.

[A. Snow]

Zip-loc bags, breadties, and a magic marker.

[babu]

Zip-loc bags, breadties, and a magic marker.

that's a really good idea to put them in bags, should really helps against the cable tangle.

[opethfan]

Zip-loc bags, breadties, and a magic marker.

I do much the same thing. Only problem is, I put the cables into an IKEA box and then to get one cable, you pretty much have to tip the whole lot out.

[ave]

I store them behind my consoles inside the Ikea tv rack:


There aren't too many anyway.

[Shadowlayer]

I used to be really tidy with cables, but since my free time went away I just let stuff hanging around, unless theres some technical issues with that.

[MottZilla]

Well, I have 2 setups now. One is just 3 systems, Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2. There is an AV switcher which actually is only used for switching the RCA audio. And then the power cords, the 360 is obviously the gray one. The PS2 I put blue electrical tape I wrapped around it near the plug. The Xbox is just black, no tape.

For my second setup, there's 4 systems. Sega Saturn, Super Famicom, NES, and a JAMMA supergun. All have different power cords so that's easy to tell. The Saturn has a iron/nickel looking SCART RGB cable shield. The Super Famicom has a Gold plated shield. The NES goes into the Composite Video input and monitor speaker input.

For the other systems, I have a VGA to BNC cable for connecting RGB to the monitor. If I'm playing the Supergun, that and the audio plug right into the Supergun. For the Sega Saturn and SFC, the RGB and audio plug into a small adapter box.

So for NES I always have that ready, just have to plug in the power supply. For SFC and Sega Saturn, I gotta plug in their power, and maybe change which SCART cable in plugged in depending on which I used last. If I use the Supergun, I've gotta unplug from my SCART adapter and into the SG.

I rarely have any problem knowing what is what. Just a problem with them getting tangled by them wrapping around eachother from plugging them in and out.

Being organized helps, but having space and mutipule setups helps alot too. I like having my retro setup and then my modern setup. Also, I prefer to avoid AV switchers.

[Tchoin]

As MottZilla says, it's good to have more than one setup if you can, I personally have 3. One for the current gen consoles (Wii/360) and PS2/DC, another one for the retro stuff with a CRT Tv, and an N64, GC and modded XBOX in the living room. I use a couple of AV switchs, if you can, try to avoid them unless they are good and don't have signal quality loss.

And what I found to be really good are these velcro cord wraps:

(Courtesy of Google Images)

I use that, plus some plastic holders to keep the cords against the furniture and preventing them from getting entangled, and as for storage, I also recommend zip-loc bags and breadties.

[MitsuruX]

TC,

I've resorted to packing away most of my Collection.. But for the systems that are stilll out

Living Room - Xbox 360, PS2, Wii.. there is a small area under the TV (in my etertainment center that is able to hold all of the accesseries for those systems

Rec Room - PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64 I have a custom made wooden box that is perfect for storing all of the controllers etc. (got it at a grage sale)

Switch boxes/av receviers are a gamers best friend.. LOL

[PrOfUnD Darkness]

I store them behind my consoles inside the Ikea tv rack:


There aren't too many anyway.

Nice setup!

[Mark30001]

Very good question. I've had some cables tied with rubberbands (which have broken) as well as some in ziplock bags, all in one large plastic bag which keeps ripping apart. Everything's a mess! :/

[graciano1337]

my cables are a mess, too. i don't have an av switch atm so i'm using a VCR and i've got all my cables sitting around it. big mess.

[Speed]

I use the velcro cable ties and generic zip-lock bags.

...And I thought I was gonna be the only one with a sweet IKEA setup. =)

[ASSEMbler]

Velcro ties, and cable tubes. It's basically plastic conduit that's slit down the side.

[oli_lar]

The ones not in use I fold them in half as far as possible and then tie them in a knot. Power leads usually have stickers on the end if they're ambiguous.